Page 18 - CTB n6 - 2014-02

CV SHOW REVIEW
Aeolus Focus on Transace AL01 Van Tyre
selling Athos truck tyres, is especially delighted about the results achieved under the different loading conditions. In his opinion, the test clearly confirms his company's work. "Again and again we see that customers using Athos tyres gain multiple and sustainable advantages", says Hämmerling. “They benefit from a lower purchase price and better fuel consumption than offered by many competing products."
The tests carried out between September 2013 and Januar y 2014 were based on a total of three identically constructed IVECO Stralis AS440S46T/FP LT tractor units of the latest series with EURO 6 engines, combined with Krone Megatrailer SD27. Each time, the whole units were equipped with tyres from one manufacturer. Of course, great importance was attached to the fuel consumption resulting from the use of the individual tyre brands. Their ranking sometimes varied depending on the useful load. Dunlop won the category of under 21 t, while Goodyear was top for a total weight of 32 t in the same size, with Athos taking respectable third and second places, respectively. After analysing all of the test criteria, such as fuel efficiency, grip in the
wet, rolling resistance and economic efficiency, Athos tyres were top with 25 points.
"We are so enthusiastic about the test criteria selected by the Flottenberater (fleet advisers), because that's what our customers experience every day. What is the use of top values gained on the roller-type test stand if you cannot confirm them on the road", comments Ralf Hämmerling. He is certain that the test is not just an excellent result for the Athos tyre, but also a first-class selling proposition for customers who use Athos tyres. Hämmerling is ver y sure, "I have seldom seen such a professional provider with love for the detail. To be honest, I really was not sure if the effort would be worthwhile. However, the installed testing equipment including the air pressure control in all wheel positions have been well worth it".
And he continues: “When a tyre is produced abroad, but meets
the German quality requirements regarding the material and production facilities, you can without any doubt take up the challenge of comprehensive tests based on German carefulness."
All of the details about the test, including the tables and recordings are available at www.athos-tyre.com.
The highlight of the Aeolus stand at the CV show was the newly released Transace AL01 van tyre, introduced by UK distributor Kings Road Tyres in order to take advantage of the burgeoning van tyre market, fuelled by the growth in internet retailing.
The Transace AL01 is billed as “The Transporter Tyre” and has been designed to be ideal for distribution transport. It is durable, robust and reliable, even in extreme weather conditions The tyre features a tread pattern with two continuous midribs to provide optimal cornering performance even with higher loads. The stable profile and optimised contact surfaces of the Transace AL01 offer driving stability and good steering
response time as well as uniform tread wear.
The Transace AL01 is available in 14 sizes, covering the majority of popular light commercial applications.
Athos in Overall Winner in Tyre Benchmark Test
ATS Euromaster Launches Guide for Greater Van Fleet Efficiency
ATS Euromaster used the occasion of the CV Show to launch a new guidebook to help LCV operators improve the efficiency of their van fleets.
Packed with 25 top tips to help improve fleet performance, the 12 page booklet builds on ATS Euromaster’s five decades of servicing van fleets, as well as its own experience of running more than 820 mobile service vehicles. The guide provides best practice
advice on everything from choosing the right chassis, body and driveline package, to vehicle security, fuel management, servicing and the importance of establishing a tyre policy.
The booklet is also available to download as a PDF at www.atseuromaster.co.uk/business
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241,000 kilometres covered. 66,846 litres of diesel fuel consumed. 3,060 hours driving time. Seventy-two test tyres from a total of five manufacturers. These are the key data of a wide- ranging tyre benchmark test ordered by HG-Logistic GmbH from Germany and carried out over the past months. The company managed to hire the consulting firm "Die Flottenberater GmbH" (the fleet
advisers) for evaluating the collected data. Together with their technology partner "tec4U Ingenieurgesellschaft" they independently looked after the benchmark tests under real conditions in a shipping company. Both businesses based in Saarbrücken
collected the data and analysed them. The result was surprising: Athos won the test owing to its first-class cost-benefit ratio. Even compared to much more expensive competitive products it made an excellent showing also in the field of fuel consumption.
Ralf Hämmerling, managing director of Hämmerling - The Tyre Company GmbH, the company responsible for manufacturing and
18 Commercial Tyre Business